Estonian Sign Language

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A language of Estonia

ISO 639-3
eso
Alternate Names
Eesti viipekeel, EVK, Viipekeel
Population

1,500 (Paales 2011). 4,500 users out of 1,600 deaf and 20,000 hearing impaired. 2,000 persons need regular help from interpreters (1998 U. Sutrop). 1,500 signers (2014 Estonian Deaf Association). 6,300 (2014 IMB).

Location

Scattered, mostly in Tallinn and Pärnu.

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2011, No. RT1, Language Act, Article 3(2)).

Classification
Deaf sign language
Dialects

Some local dialects. The dialect in Pärnu is most archaic. Influences from Finnish [fse] and Russian Sign Languages [rsl].

Typology

One-handed fingerspelling.

Language Use

First deaf school 1866. Deaf associations. All ages. Also use Russian Sign Language [rsl].

Language Development
TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Estonian Sign Language
Other Comments

Fingerspelling system unlike other European countries. Sign language interpretation service started 1996. Estonian Sign Language was first recognized in 2007. Systematic teaching and research since 1990 at Tartu University. (2014 Estonian Association of the Deaf). Sign language instruction for parents of deaf children in Tallinn.